Audio upgrade - need help

[codek]

Hello!

 

I've been using a "gaming headset" for many years now. In the beginning I played a lot, but as I've got older, I've started to listen more and more to music or talking with my friends while I play. I don't focus on the ingame-sounds as much now, because I don't play competitive anymore. I would like to be able to wear a pair of headphones in public, and not have a microphone attached. So it's time for an upgrade! I've no idea what to buy, so I need your help.

 

I want a pair of closed, over-ear and comfortable headphones. I mainly listen to acoustic, R&B, pop and hip-hop.

 

The microphone will be used for voice-chat and music production (vocal and instrumental). My friends and I like to have a great time making music, but it's not on a professional scale - just for fun, so no need to spend a huge amount of money. I need a stand as well (mounted to the table) and a pop-filter.

 

My computer is a mITX, which means that I'll have to get an USB audio interface.

 

I live in Europe, so the prices here doesn't match the prices in the US. Therefore, I "only" want to spend around $600 (US prices).
 

Please, feel free to ask any questions!

[EmoRarity]

The B&w P7's off an ODAC/O2 with a Blue Snowflake would be a very good combination.

[codek]

The B&w P7's off an ODAC/O2 with a Blue Snowflake would be a very good combination.

Do you think the Blue Snowflake is good for recording music?

[EmoRarity]

Do you think the Blue Snowflake is good for recording music?

Missed that part, AT2020 is a solid all-arounder (The USB version for simplicity.) 

[codek]

Missed that part, AT2020 is a solid all-arounder (The USB version for simplicity.) 

Thanks for your answers! I'm going to do some research then :-)

[EmoRarity]

Not a problem, best of luck

[Kharem]

I've had a set of sennheiser hd598's for 6 months or so and love them, I think they sound great and look quite nice if you want to wear them in public. Price wise I'm not sure where they sit on your budget because im not sure how much your looking to put into your dac or mic (I've always had an external interface for my guitar stuff that I could just run the 598's from so never had to look into dac's or other cards).

As for the mic I'm actually quite interested about what people recommend because I'm looking at picking one up as well, at the moment I've been switching back to my g930's when I need the mic. I've only heard a little about the blue snowballs but it's all been good, worth looking into I guess.

[DrewRockon]

This is what i use to record.

 

M-Audio Fast Track ultra (I think this is discontinued, try this instead?)

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MTrackQuad/

 

For monitors I use M-Audio av40's paired with their sb10 but if you want headphones

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD280Pro/

or

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HD380Pro/

 

For Vocals I use:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/NT1AAnniv/

and for instruments:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Percep170/

 

You'll obviously want to expand your microphone collection as you go depending on what you want to record... cuz those wont handle a drum kit by themselves